SOME devastating bowling helped Ross CC’s 1st XI launch their Marches Division One league campaign with a nine-wicket home win over Ledbury 2nds.

The visitors were soon regretting winning the toss and electing to bat as Ross reduced them to 41-5 in quick order, before skittling them out for 91 in 30 overs, with only two batsmen making double figures.

Tony Laws took three for 19 off six overs, matched by Jack Donovan with three for 28 off seven, with both each taking a catch.

Josh Element bowled four maidens in his 10 overs as he took two for 22, while Ben Element chipped in with one for six off three overs.

In reply, opener Angus McIntyre hit an unbeaten 48, backed by Ben Element with 21 and Alastair Cook with 11 as the hosts dashed to 94-2 in 20.1 overs.

The 2nd XI had a tougher time of it away to Woolhope 2nds though in Division 3, losing by 99 runs.

The hosts cracked 254-7 off their 40 overs, including 113 by opener Matt Taylor, with Luke Timewell taking three for 30 off eight overs and Dee Springer two for 56 off eight.

In reply, Scholes hit 83, Tom Edwards 19 and Ben Rimington 17, but only one was scored off the bat by the last four as Ross were all out for 155 in 28 overs.

Goodrich walloped Woolhope 1st XI by 139 runs in their Marches Division 1 opener, Andrew Brown cracking 103 in their 319-7 before the hosts dismissed them for 180.

But Aston Ingham fell to a 20-run defeat at Apperley in a 45-over friendly on Saturday, after the hosts set a target of 236-7.

David Skyrme took three for 24 off six overs, and Dan Smith two for 36 off six, with Karl Linney and Oli Dennis the other wicket takers.

Aston’s reply started stickily, as they were soon two down for 10 and then 21-3.

But a 50-run partnership between Josh Loade and skipper Oliver Henson steadied the ship before the former went for 25 (71-4).

Henson made 32 before departing (94-5) and Tim Dulson 13 before he became the sixth victim on 116, with the target still a long way off.

Jack Carpenter and David Skyrme put on 47 to take the score to 163 before the latter holed out for 18.

There then followed a remarkable last gasp unbeaten knock by Dan Smith, who blasted 48, including 10 fours, off just 20 balls to give Apperley a fright, but Aston ran out of overs as the innings ended on 216-9.

Wormelow 1st XI smashed the Fownhope Strollers’ attack for 339-6 in 45 overs in their Marches Division One clash, Jasper Linley-Adams hitting 131.

The visitors then finished 217 runs adrift after scoring 122-4 in reply, Richard Lerego hitting 55 and Mike Berry 23.

Strollers’ 2nd XI were dismissed for 113 in 37 overs by Canon Frome 2nds in their Division 3 match, Bradley Lucas top scoring with 21.

The hosts then dashed the runs off in 18 overs, finishing on 117-3.

Four Dymock CC batsmen – Dan Gale, York Senior, David Smith and James Field – hit half centuries before retiring not out as they scored 287-4 in a friendly at home to Ullenwood Bharat.

And they then skittled the visitors out for 71 in 22 overs, Alfred Senior taking four wickets, Isaac Lawrence three and Tom Streeter two.

But Newent CC lost their friendly with Kingsholm CC by 51 runs after being set a target of 248-7 off 40 overs, Thomas Morley the pick of the bowlers with four wickets.

Opener Morgan Evans hit 61, Paul Carter 46, Richard Henry 30 and Jack Cowles 29, but the run chase then fell away as the hosts finished on 197-7.